Young Conaway Relocates; New Headquarters Features a Strategy Suite for Visiting Counsel

WILMINGTON, Del., April 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, LLP, one of Delaware's oldest and largest law firms, is pleased to announce that it has relocated its Wilmington headquarters to the historic Courthouse on Rodney Square. The firm's extensive renovations have revitalized this landmark, which sat vacant on the prominent square for the last nine years. The result is more than 218,000 square-feet of historically certified, yet technologically advanced, office space in which the firm is the sole tenant.

In addition to a two-story conference center, the firm has also created a separate private strategy suite that includes multiple offices, a conference room, and other amenities for visiting counsel to use as they prepare for complex trials, negotiations, closings, mediations and other matters before the nationally recognized bankruptcy, superior, district and Chancery courts in Delaware.

"We are raising the bar on client service by providing an exclusive space for our out-of- state co-counsel, who make up a significant portion of our client base," said Firm Chairman James L. Patton, Jr. "This move, while providing a cutting-edge work environment for our personnel, also breaks new ground in how law firms provide legal services in Delaware — a legal home to more than 850,000 business entities."

The private strategy suite is located within the 43,000-square-foot mezzanine level of the courthouse and is a self-contained area that has been created with the needs of visiting clients and attorneys in mind. The suite, like the entire building, contains state-of-the-art technology with a user-friendly platform, 24/7 access and administrative support to make working remotely seamless for co-counsel and clients. It is located at street-level and is across from the Hotel du Pont and just blocks away from the Wilmington courts.

"This is a smart move strategically for Young Conaway. It signals that they are not resting on their excellent reputation and that they're focused upon constantly improving their ability to respond to client needs," said Hobart G. Truesdell, President of the New York City-based bankruptcy consulting firm Walker, Truesdell, Roth & Associates, Inc.

The courthouse is one of the largest restoration projects in Wilmington and an integral part of the city's revitalization effort currently underway.

"This relocation represents so much more than just a change of address. We are honored to help breathe new life into the downtown corridor and into an iconic building," said Administrative Partner Robert S. Brady. "There is also a sense of nostalgia among our more seasoned lawyers as they return to the courthouse, the launching point of many successful legal careers."

The courthouse was built in 1916 in the Beaux-Arts architectural style and boasts massive fluted columns, a granite facade and impeccably preserved grand staircases beneath the two symmetrical rotundas at either end of the building. Under the leadership of Senior Partner Richard A. Levine, the firm has taken significant steps to maintain the historic elements of the building's structure, thus preserving part of Wilmington's rich history. There is a seamless transition from the grandeur of the architecture to the light and airiness of the interior space. In lieu of the more traditional brass and dark mahogany, nickel, glass, stainless steel and Avodire wood, (a medium-toned African cedar) were used.

Pettinaro Construction Co., Inc., a Delaware-based construction, development and property management company, contracted to lease the space to the firm in 2009. Francis Cauffman, a Philadelphia-based architectural and interior design firm, completed the renovations.

Young Conaway's new headquarters is located at Rodney Square, 1000 North King Street in Wilmington, Delaware. The firm also has offices in Georgetown and Middletown, Delaware, and in New York City.

Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, LLP, one of Delaware's largest law firms, counsels national and international clients handling sophisticated advisory and litigation matters involving bankruptcy, intellectual property, corporate and alternative entity law. Now in its sixth decade, Young Conaway also guides regional businesses through a myriad of employment, education, real estate, tax, estate planning, environmental, and banking issues. Locally the firm represents individuals and community organizations in need of legal services.

www.youngconaway.com

SOURCE Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, LLP